ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. —
Art of the Possible – it’s the way the Air Force Sustainment Center has been doing business since as early as 2012.
Developed at AFSC, Art of the Possible first debuted at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex[ESGUAA1] in the aircraft depot maintenance arena[ESGUAA2] .“Art of the Possible is a constraints based management system designed to create an environment for success by creating a culture of problem-solvers, defining processes (aka machines), [ESGUAA3] eliminating constraints, and continuously improving,” said Clay Dykes, a process analyst and deputy director of Plans and Programs in the 78th Air Base Wing.
Dykes said the management system is an all-inclusive process.
“AoP is a leadership led system, but it involves everyone on the Air Force team,” he said.
“That includes internal and external suppliers and customers and all mission partners across the Air Force. A lot of organizations at Robins are utilizing AoP, including aircraft production, electronics maintenance, software, engineering, personnel, projects-based work and more.”
“Anywhere there is a process, AoP can be utilized,” Dykes said. “AoP can help any organization, if they are willing to learn the principles, apply the system and proactively communicate and resolve constraints.”
Dykes said the leadership model gives upfront focus and guidance for managing the organization, as a leader.
“The execution model, more commonly known as the radiator chart, provides a road map for how to get started and execute the principles,” he said. “And then there’s the visual representation of the constraint-based management system in the work center. AoP is completely transparent, open to communication and yields targeted outcomes at the machine’s, or process’, constraint.”
Dykes said AoP shows improved products, services and processes by focusing on three key variables: work in process, flowtime, and throughput[ESGUAA4].
To learn more about AOP, read the Art of the Possible Handbook online by visiting https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/22197/AoP/SiteCollectionDocuments/Guidance/afsch60-101%20AoP%20Handbook.pdf.
